The 8th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) has concluded with a grand ceremony honoring the best of Nepali and international cinema. Held over five days, the festival featured 87 films from 40 countries. Crawling Crows – Aankha won the Best National Feature Film award, earning a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 and a trophy. The event, chaired by Minister of Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, celebrated outstanding films and filmmakers from around the world.
Best National Feature Film: Crawling Crows – Aankha
The festival’s top award for Best National Feature Film went to Crawling Crows – Aankha. Directed by a talented team, this Nepali film impressed the judges and took home a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 100,000. The win highlights the growing strength of Nepali cinema.
Best Narrative Feature: Shambala Wins Gautam Buddha Award
Shambala, directed by Min Bahadur Bam, won the prestigious Gautam Buddha Award for Best Narrative Feature. In his acceptance speech, Bam dedicated the award to the cast and crew of the film. Shambala’s win reflects its strong storytelling and cinematic excellence.
Top Acting Awards: Anjana Baraili and RK Mehta Recognized
Anjana Baraili won Best Actress in a Leading Role for her powerful performance in Pujar Sarki. RK Mehta claimed the Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role in the same film. These awards highlight the growing talent in Nepali cinema and the strong performances in Pujar Sarki.
Best Director and Cinematography Awards
Dinesh Raut won the Best Director award for his work on Pujar Sarki. His direction received widespread praise for its emotional depth and storytelling. Rajesh Shrestha was honored with the Best Cinematographer award for his stunning work on Pujar Sarki, showcasing the film’s exceptional visual style.
Best International Screenwriter: Zaun Yonzan for Crawling Crows – Aankha
Zaun Yonzan won the Best International Screenwriter award for Crawling Crows – Aankha. This recognition celebrates the film’s strong script and impactful narrative, highlighting its international appeal.
Audience’s Choice Awards and Short Films
The Audience’s Choice Award for Best Feature Film went to Satidevi by Laxman Subedi. Girls Rewriting Destiny by Lawa Pyakurel won the Best Documentary in the Audience’s Choice category. In short films, The Witness Tree by Nirajan Raj Bhetwal won both the Best Short Film and Audience’s Choice awards, making it a standout entry at the festival.
International Awards: Best Documentary and AI Film
The Mt. Everest Award for Best International Documentary went to Melting Snow, directed by Mojtaba Bahadori from Belgium. Bahadori received a USD 1,000 cash prize and a trophy. In the AI film category, The Abyss from Argentina won the Manjushree Award for Best AI Film, along with a USD 500 prize.
International Feature Film Award: Rukmini Wins Don Quixote Award
The International Federation of Film Societies – Don Quixote Award for Best Feature Film was awarded to Rukmini, directed by Nilay Prashant Raje from India. The film was praised for its captivating narrative and artistic direction, making it a deserving winner.
A Successful Conclusion to the 8th NIFF
The 8th Nepal International Film Festival came to a successful close, celebrating outstanding films and filmmakers. The festival showcased 87 films from 40 countries, offering a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers. With awards spanning various categories, the festival demonstrated the power of cinema to connect global audiences.
